Women's health institute advisory board meets in Lubbock

Historically, most medical studies are conducted on men. But the National Advisory Board for the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health met Tuesday in Lubbock at the Texas Tech campus to discuss how its working to ensure women’s health issues are addressed.

More than 30 women, and a few men, from across the state discussed the research projects under the institute as well as funding and the center’s future goals.

“We talk about improving the role of women’s health, but here is how we actually do it,” said Betsy Jones, regional director.

The meeting gave Tech and health institute officials the chance to hear from the board, composed of women from every part of Texas, what issues were important to them.

The board members also laid out the future goals for the institute. At 3 years old, the institute is still young, making fundraising and promotion top priorities, explained Debbie Francis, advisory board chairwoman.

“This institute has made unique progress,” Francis said.

In March, center leaders held the Power of the Purse fundraiser in Amarillo and raised $130,000. Francis said she’d like to see the center continue to bring in more funding to support more research projects.

The board meets twice a year, each time at a different institute campus. Tuesday’s meeting was the first held in Lubbock, and Tedd Mitchell, president of the Health Sciences Center, said that’s a good thing. It has helped to solidify the center as a part of Tech, rather than a part of the Lubbock community exclusively.

“We’re in six different cities,” he explained. “In every city, you need a champion for the cause.”

He added he was proud to have an institution dedicated solely to women’s health as a part of the Health Sciences Center.

“There’s a yearning for this at other institutions across the country,” he said.